Vaporizer



Oct. 19, 1954 H. AVRIGAN, JR

VAPORIZER Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. HAP/RV Awe/6AM, JR

A TTOf/VEX Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to Vaporizers, and it relates more particularly to devices for electricity heating a vaporizable substance.

The need. for an adequate vaporizer has resulted in various attempts being made to supply such a device. These have not performed adequately or satisfactorily however, for electrically heated Vaporizers thus far constructed have generally proven wasteful of electric current, and wasteful of charge of vaporizing substance, particularly when it is desired to remove an unused portion of the charge from the vaporizer in order to save it for a later use; and the nature of the Vaporizers thus far supplied has generally been such as to render the vaporizer subject to loss or to breakage.

One object of my invention therefore is to provide a vaporizer which is so constructed as to consume electric current substantially only while it is charged with a vaporizable substance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vaporizer which is so constructed as to render readily interchangeable various v a p o r i z i n g charges, and in a manner to preserve unused portions of the charges during their removal from the vaporizer.

A further object of my invention is to provide a vaporizer which may be permanently installed in a room, and in a minimum of space therein, while being so constructed as to eliminate the possibility of loss, and reduce to a minimum the occurrence of breakage.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vaporizer which is so constructed that it may form a permanent unit in a vaporizing system wherein a plurality of rooms in a building may each be supplied with one such unit, and the entire building may be quickly, readily and efficiently serviced at regular intervals by replacing vaporizable charges at said intervals.

A further object of my invention is to provide a vaporizer which is so constructed that possibility of undesired electrical contact or shock while replacing vaporizable charges, is eliminated.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists of a vaporizer comprising a housing adapted to be permanently installed on a wall of a room, a chamber pivotally mounted on said housing, a plurality of spaced electrical contact members disposed in said chamber, each of said contact members comprising a receptacle portion and a bearing portion, a plurality of contact elements mounted in said housing, each of said contact elements bedisposed within the path of rotation of one of said bearing portions when said chamber is moved about its pivotal mounting; and a vaporizable charge comprising an electrical resistance wire, an electrical contact device electrically connected to said wire at one portion thereof, and an electrical contact device electrically connected to said wire at another portion thereof, and a vaporizable substance disposed about said resistance wire and mounted between said electrical contact devices, said electrical contact devices being spaced a distance substantially equal to the distance between said receptacles, and being adapted to be readily inserted into and removed from said receptacles; said resistance wire having a current-usage life which is substantially equal to the time required to sublimate the vaporizable substance at the temperature generated by said resistance wire when a normal fiow of electrical current is passed therethrough; and said chamber comprising channels for the passage of air therethrough and about said vaporizable charge.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at presentpreferred by me, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a front elevational View of a vaporizer embodying my invention.

Figure 2 represents a vertical section View taken generally along the lines 22 of Figure 1, and embodying my invention.

Figure 3 represents an extended vertical sectional view, partly fragmentary, of a vaporizer showing the same in open condition ready for receiving a vaporizable charge, and embodying my invention.

Figure 4 represents a prospective view, partly broken away, of a vaporizer, showing the same in open condition and ready to receive a vaporizable charge, and embodying my invention.

Figure 5 represents a vertical sectional view of a vaporizable charge embodying my invention.

Figure 6 represents an electrical diagram showing one form of circuit embodying my invention.

According to my invention, I provide a housing H) which may conform substantially to the usual construction of the housing of a standard switch box customarily used for mounting an electric switch on the wall of a room. Indeed, inasmuch as my invention is adapted, in one modification thereof, for use in conjunction with a room switch, I have illustrated this modification of my invention in the accompanying drawings. Thus, the housing I is so constructed as to fit inside the room wall I and to be covered by a suitable face plate l2 which is secured to the housing ID in any suitable manner, such for instance as the screw l3. One portion of the housing I0, such for instance as the lower part, may contain switch mechanism l4 having a finger release I5 extending through and forwardly of the face plate |2.

A chamber I6 is moveably mounted with respect to the housing 0 and base plate I2. Thus, hinge elements I! may be disposed on the face plate I2, and carry trunnions I8 disposed on the chamber I6, preferably substantially along the lower edge l9 thereof.

The chamber I 6 comprises a substantially centrally disposed bed portion extending between laterally spaced end walls 2| and 22, and preferably diverging walls 23 and 24 extending between said end walls 2| and 22, and from said bed portion 20 to a peripheral rim 25. The rim 25 may comprise the coplanar edges of the end walls 2|, 22 and diverging walls 23, 24, which edges are spaced from the bed portion 20. The hinge elements Il may comprise a forward edge 26 which is so disposed with respect to the axis of the trunnions l8 that the angle between said trunnion, edge 26 and the horizontal, is complementary to the angle between the divergent wall 24 and the vertical, when said chamber |'6 has been rotated about said trunnions |8 outwardly away from the face plate I2 and to the lowermost position of said chamber l6. Thus, when in said lowermost position, the wall 24 bears against the outer edges 26 of the hinge devices I! operably to prevent further downward rotation of the chamber l6. If desired, other means (not shown) may be used for limiting said downward rotation; and also if desired, the limiting means may be so related to the chamber I6 that when the chamber I6 is in its lowermost position, the peripheral edge 25 may be disposed at an angle to the horizontal. The divergent walls 23 and 24 preferably comprise channels 2'! adapted to pass air or vapor therethrough. Thus, the channels 21 may consist of louvers, or a screen (not shown), or other suitable openings.

Electrical contact members 28 are provided in the chamber I6 and are preferably spaced therein a suitable distance. comprises a base portion 29, a receptacle portion 30 and a bearing portion 3|, with the receptacle portion 30 and bearing portion 3| in electrical communication. The base portion 29 is mounted on a suitable insulation block 32 which in turn is secured to the bed portion 2|] by any suitable means such for instance as the screws 33. The bearing portion 3| extends through the chamber I 6 and beyond the rim 25 a suitable distance, terminating in a contact wiper portion 34 which is adapted to traverse an arc about the longitudinal axis of the trunnions 8 when the chamber I6 is lifted from its lowermost position as illustrated in Figure 3 to its uppermost position whenein the rim 25 substantially bears against the outer face 35 of the face plate I2, as illustrated in Figure 2. The face plate I2 is slotted as at 36 to permit passage therethrough of the bearing portions 3| during the transition between the lowermost and uppermost positions of the channel l6.

Contact elements 3'! are mounted on the hous- Each contact member 28 ing ID by any suitable means such for instance as the insulation base 38 secured to the contact element 31 by a suitable binding post 39 while the insulation base 38 is mounted on the housing ID in any suitable manner. One contact element 31 may be provided for each bearing portion 3|, and is disposed within the path of travel of said bearing portion 3| as said portion 3| is being inserted within the housing when the chamber I6 is lifted to its uppermost position. The wipers 34 are so shaped with regard to the contact elements 31 that they are deflected on initial contact during said upward motion, and then permitted to return toward normal position, so as releasably to interlock with the elements 31. Thus, the bearing portions 3I may consist of brass, bronze or other elastic electrical conductor. If desired, an insulating sleeve 39 may be disposed about the bearing portions 3| from the vicinity of the bed 20 to proximity to the wiper portions 34.

A vaporizable charge 40 is provided, comprising an electric resistance Wire 4| extending between, and in electrical contact with, suitable contact devices 42 which may if desired be in the nature of metal caps. A suitable vaporizable substance 43 is disposed about the wire 4| and between the contact devices 42. The contact devices 42 are of a size and configuration to permit them to be readily inserted within the receptacles 39. Thus, the receptacles 30 may comprise spring clips having jaws 44 which are flared away from each other at their outer ends but which immediately behind their flared portions, may be spaced a distance less than the diameter of the cap 42, while the jaws 44 are formed substantially arcuate between the base 29 and said flared portions, with the diameter of their are being preferably slightly less than the diameter of the caps 42. The caps 42 are preferably spaced a distance sufiicient to enable them to be disposed in electrical contact with the receptacles 3|! when the charge 40 is inserted within the chamber l5 and in alignment with said receptacles 3D.

The vaporizable charge 43 may consist of a self-sublimating substance such for instance as camphor, dichlorobenzene or other desired solid having substantially similar properties; or it may consist of a liquid or vaporous impregnation of a porous solid such for instance as pumice, sandstone, or suitable porous ceramic. In either event, the solid, which may be referred to in the drawings by the reference numeral 45, is channeled as at 46 to permit passage therethrough of the resistance wire 4| without exposure of said wire 4| to external contact. The solid 45 may also be recessed at its end portions to receive and to hold the contact caps 42 which are in electrical communication with the resistance wire 4|. The solid 45 extends intermediate the contact caps 42 and about the resistance wire 4| in a manner to provide a handle surface 41 which is adapted to permit gripping of the charge 40 between the fingers in the operations of insertion or removal of the charge from the chamber I6 and the contact members 28, and also to serve as a vaporizing surface when the vaporizable substance 43 is heated by radiation from the electrically charged wire 4|, and the vapor from the substance 43 is thereby activated and dispersed from the solid 45. The vaporizable substance 43 may consist of any desired material, such for instance as a deodorant, medication, insecticide or insect repellant, perfume, or the like.

A suitable switch device 48 may be provided,

with a suitable knob or other handle means 49 for electrically connecting the contact elements 31 to the house current which is led to the de-v vice by contacts 50 and 5|. If desired, a suitable signal device, such for instance as the electric light bulb 52 may be provided on the face plate l2 and in series with the circuit between one of the contact elements 3'! and one of the contacts 50, 5|.

The resistance wire is preferably chosen as to its current-usage life to provide that it will burn out when sufi'icient current has been passed therethrough to provide approximately sufiicient thermal units to evaporate the given quantity of vaporizable substance 43 disposed about the resistance wire 4| in the charge 4!). Thus, when for instance the charge 4|! contains a quantity of vaporizable substance 43 which will fully evaporate at the end of 80 hours when subjected to a temperature of 250 degrees for that length of time; the resistance wire 4| is provided of a material, thickness and length, which will generate 250 degrees of temperature when subjected to a voltage of 110 degrees, and which will burn out when subjected to said voltage for approximately 80 hours. As a result, when the vaporizable substance 43 has substantially all been evaporated from the charge 40, the resistance wire 4| will burn itself out.

Alternatively, and particulraly when the solid 45 itself constitutes the vaporizable substance 43, the resistance wire 4| may be chosen to burn itself out when in contact with the atmosphere. Thus, when the substance 45 has been vaporized to such an extent that a substantial gap or gaps will appear between the surface 46 and the resistance wire 4|, the atmosphere will directly contact the resistance wire 4|, thereby oxidizing it to the extent that it will burn itself out.

In either event the flow of electric current will cease when the vaporizable substance 43 has substantially fully passed from the charge 40 to the atmosphere. While current is flowing and the charge is vaporizing as a result of the heat generated thereby, the signal light 52 will glow; When the charge has fully vaporized, or when the switch is in oiT position, or when no charge 40 is disposed in the chamber l6, no current will flow through the vaporizing circuit, and the signal light 52 will be off. Only when the switch 48 is in on position, and a charge 40 is disposed in the chamber is with its caps 42 disposed in the receptacles 30, while vaporizable substance 43 is still available for vaporizing, may current flow through the vaporizing circuit.

As illustrated in Figure 6, the vaporizing circuit A may consist of the series of contact 5!), switch 48, contact element 31, bearing 3|, receptacle 30, caps 42 and resistance wire 4| of the vaporizable charge 40, second receptacle 39 with its bearing element 3|, and second contact element 31, signal light 52 and contact 5|. If desired, the switch l4 and room lights or other electrical devices 53 may be connected in parallel with the vaporizing circuit as illustrated in Figure 6.

In operation, the chamber I6 is moved to its lowermost position as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, and the charge 40 is inserted therein with the cap members 42 disposed within the receptacles 30. The chamber i6 is then lifted to its uppermost position, and in the process of lifting, the bearings 3| pass through the channels 36 of the face plate l2 and interlock with the contact elements 31 and in electrical communication therewith. The switch 48 may then be turned into on position whenever it is desired to start the vaporizing operation. When this is done, current will flow through the vaporizing circuit and the signal light 52 will be illuminated while the resistance wire 4| is heated and the heat thereof causes vaporization of the substance 43. The louvers 21 permit conveotion of atmospheric air through the chamber It in a manner to draw the vaporizing substance out of the chamber l6 and into the atmosphere of the room. When it is desired to stop the vaporizing action, the switch 48 need merely be turned to off position.

Alternatively, when it is desired to stop the. vaporizing action, the chamber l6 may be moved to its lowermost position thereby breaking contact of the bearing 3| with the contact elements 37. Also, if desired, the partially used charge 43 may be lifted out of the chamber I6 and the chamber again moved to its uppermost position. In the latter case, it will be noted that although the bearings 3| will be interlocked with the contact elements 37, no current will flow. Also, in this case, the partially used charge 40 may be kept in a safe place and reinserted in the chamber l6 whenever it is desired to use its vaporizable substance again. When the vaporizing substance 43 has been fully vaporized in the chamber it, it may be leftlin place until it is desired to replace the charge 40, without harming any of the elements of the device, for no current will flow through the circuit.

In cases where a plurality of rooms in a building are each equipped with one of these vaporizers, the building may be regularly serviced by replacing worn-out charges 40 with fresh vaporizable charges, and the process of servicing consists merely of lowering the chamber l6, pulling out the charge 4|} by means of its handle portion 47, and inserting in its place a fresh charge, and then lifting the chamber I 6 to its uppermost position. Where the vaporizer is being used in rooms which require constant vaporizing action, as for instance in a room which requires the constant presence of a deodorant or an insect repellant, the servicing of the vaporizer can be timed to concur with the expiration 2f the predetermined life of the resistance wire i.

Moreover, it will be noted that in the operation of replacing vaporizable charges 40, or in any operation entailing the opening of the chamberber IS, the possibility of flow of current is automatically broken, and it is impossible to receive a charge of electricity by contact with any of the conductors carried by the chamber i6, whether the conductors be the receptacle 36, bearings 3 i, wiper b ades or otherwise. Nor is there any possibility of dislodging the charge from its proper place in the chamber it when the bearings 3! are being brought into electrical communication with the contact elements 31, the receptacles 3|! serving to hold the charge 46) in place, and the trunnions l8 serving to guide the chamber IS with its bearings 3| through predetermined paths of movement until the chamber 16 is itself closed by its rim 25 being brought into juxtaposition to the cover plate i2. It is to be understood further that the end walls 2! and 22 may serve as finger holds for use in gripping the chamber iii and moving it between its uppermost and lowermost positions.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiments to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A vaporizer comprising a housing; a chamber mounted on said housing for movement within a restricted path; a plurality of spaced electrical contact members disposed in said chamber; at least one of said contact members comprising a receptacle portion and a bearing portion; a contact element mounted in said housing; said contact element being disposed within the path of movement of said bearing portion; and a vaporizable charge comprising a handle portion comprising a vaporizing surface, an electrical resistance wire disposed within said handle portion; an electrical contact device mounted on one part of said handle portion and electrically connected to one portion of said wire, and an electrical contact device mounted on another part of said handle portion and electrically connected to another portion of said wire, said handle portion comprising a material at least a part of which includes a vaporizable substance disposed about said resistance wire; and said electrical contact devices being spaced a distance substantially equal to the distance between said receptacles, and being adapted to be readily inserted into and removed from said receptacles; said resistance wire having a life which is substantially equal to the time required to vaporize said vaporizable substance at the temperature generated by said resistance wire when a normal flow of electrical current is passed therethrough; and said chamber comprising channels for the passage of air therethrough and about said vaporizable charge.

2. A vaporizer comprising a housing; a chamber mounted on said housing for movement within a restricted path; a plurality of spaced electrical contact members disposed in said chamber; at least one of said contact members comprising a receptacle portion and a bearing portion; a contact element mounted in said housing; said contact element being disposed within the path of movement of said bearing portion; a cover mounted on said housing and substantially covering said contact element from external contact, a channel passing through said cover and within said path of movement of said bearing portion, and adapted to permit passage therethrough of said bearing portion; and a vaporizable charge comprising a handle portion comprising a vaporizing surface, an electrical resistance wire disposed within said handle portion; an electrical contact device mounted on one part of said handle portion and electrically connected to one portion of said wire, and an electrical contact device mounted on another part of said handle portion and electrically connected to another portion of said wire, said handle portion comprising a material at least a part of which includes a vaporizable substance disposed about said resistance wire; and said electrical contact devices being spaced a distance substantially equal to the distance between said receptacles, and being adapted to be readily inserted into and removed from said receptacles; said resistance wire having a life which is substantially equal to the time required to vaporize said vaporizable substance at the temperature generated by said resistance wire when a normal flow of electrical current is passed therethrough.

3. A vaporizer comprising a housing; a chamber mounted on said housing for movement within a restricted path; a plurality of spaced electrical contact members disposed in said chamber; at least one of said contact members comprising a receptacle portion and a bearing portion; a contact element mounted in said housing; said contact element being disposed within the path of movement of said bearing portion; a cover mounted on said housing and substantially covering said contact element from external contact, a channel passing through said cover and within said path of movement of said bearing portion, and. adapted to permit passage therethrough of said bearing portion; and a vaporizable charge comprising a handle portion comprising a vaporizing surface, an electrical resistance wire disposed within said handle portion; an electrical contact device mounted on one part of said handle portion and electrically connected to one portion of said wire, and an electrical contact device mounted on another part of said handle portion and electrically connected to another portion of said wire, said handle portion comprising a material at least a part of which includes a vaporizable substance disposed about said resist ance wire; and said electrical contact devices being spaced a distance substantially equal to the distance between said receptacles, and being adapted to be readily inserted into and removed from said receptacles; said resistance wire having a life which is substantially equal to the time required to vaporize said vaporizable substance at the temperature generated by said resistance wire when a normal fiow of electrical current is passed therethrough; and said chamber comprising channels for the passage of air therethrough and about said vaporizable charge; a signal device connected in series with said contact element, and adapted to indicate the flow of current through said contact element.

4. A vaporizer comprising a housing; a chamber mounted on said housing for movement within a restricted path; a plurality of spaced electrical contact members disposed in said chamber each comprising a receptacle portion, and at least one of said contact members comprising a bearing portion; a contact element mounted in said housing; said contact element being disposed within the path of movement of said hearing portion; a cover mounted on said housing and substantially covering said contact element from external contact, a channel passing through said cover and within said path of movement of said bearing portion, and adapted to permit passage therethrough of said bearing portion; said cover being itself disposed in said path of movement of said chamber and adapted to cover the interior thereof from external contact when said bearing portion is in electrical connection with said contact element; and a vaporizable charge comprising a handle portion comprising a vaporizing surface, an electrical resistance wire disposed within said handle portion; an electrical contact device mounted on one part of said handle portion and electrically connected to one portion of said wire, and an electrical contact device mounted on another part of said handle portion and electrically connected to another portion of said wire, said handle portion comprising a material at least a part of which in- ,9 10 cludes a vaporizable substance disposed about References Cited in the file of this patent said resistance wire; and said electrical contact UNITED STATES PATENTS devices being spaced a distance substantially Number Name Date equal to the distance between said receptacles, 1 824 055 Newton Sept 22 1931 and being adapted to be readily inserted into and 5 1:845:432 McRae g a1 Feb 1932 removed from said receptacles; said resistance 2,310701 Lehmann Feb 9 1943 wire having a life which is substantially equal 510 30 Dante June 6, 1950 to the time required to vaporize said vaporizable 2,513,919 Costello July 4, 1950 substance at the temperature generated by said 10 2,539,696 Morrison Jan. 30, 1951 resistance wire when a normal flow of electrical 2,611,068 Wellens Sept. 16, 1952 current is passed therethrough. 2,612,432 Buddy Sept. 30, 1952 

